Sleep apnea treatment has potential benefits
![cpap[1].jpg](http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/cpap%5B1%5D.jpg)
Science Daily reports a new possible treatment for depression, and it involves the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) thingies that people use for sleep apnea. A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, which usually puts me to sleep (ba-da-bum), showed that "the institution of CPAP therapy resulted in a significant decrease in those symptoms of depression that were assessed at both the short-term and long-term follow-up periods."
OSA: Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Improves Symptoms Of Depression


Comments
Ok so this going far right field.. There is a medical supply store I pass frequently that has a sign up "CPAP For Sale", to me it always looks like CRAP for sale. Who knew I might be benefitted by CRAP? Though I think I'd rather have a nose job to repair my deviated septum. But that's just vanity about a feature I am very unhappy with.
Posted by: ttq | October 15, 2007 04:38 PM
Interesting. Is this different to oxygen because oxygen makes me high. (Given by a doctor, not stealing from a med. supply place, just to be clear :).)
Posted by: Alison Hymes | October 16, 2007 12:37 AM
Hard to know which is more over diagnosed these days child bipolar or sleep apnea. It probably varies by region due to who is more attractive to doctors the CPAP rep or the drug rep.
Still this get up would certainly prevent some women from taking that new birth control pill that has an antidepressant built in as it's got to muck up your sex life all on its own.
Posted by: Sally | October 16, 2007 09:32 AM
I had some experience with it and found it really annoying and uncomfortable. I'm a restless sleeper, so that may have had something to do with it. My cousin however uses one, and it has changed his life for the better. He feels much more energetic and rested.
Posted by: Tony | October 16, 2007 09:40 AM
I once saw a therapist who had sleep apnea for which he did not seek treatment. He was so tired that it was necessary to limit conversation to topics which he found stimulating or he would become dozy. At the onset, I entered the final phase of non-productive therapy where one feels like there sole purpose is to entertain their therapist. I asked to see another therapist but the public mental health agency refused. Years later the director of another provider agency who knew of this therapist told me that he was an embarrassment to the mental health system. I understand he still works for the same provider agency.
(I have a sibling who uses a CPAP and it makes him feel more energetic.)
Posted by: Joe | October 16, 2007 01:17 PM
I had severe sleep apnea till about a year ago; so much so that people in the next room couldn't sleep due to my snoring. It was recommended that I get fitted for a CPAP system to treat it. Wisely I got a second opinion, was told that a surgical procedure (a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) could do the trick and it did. I'm apnea free now, without having to use the CPAP machine for life.
Posted by: Masale.Wallah | October 16, 2007 09:07 PM
I've used a CPAP for three years for sleep apnea. I also have bipolar disorder.
The feeling of falling asleep during the day is gone. I feel much more rested in the morning.
As for the BP ... well, my moods still swing. But my highs may be just a tad lower, and my lows may be not quite so bad. So maybe there's something to this.
Posted by: Larry Parker | October 18, 2007 03:41 AM